The LP Lindenberg (also 1971, and sung in English, already with Steffi Stephan on bass) was likewise unsuccessful. In the following year, the fist LP in German was released: Daumen im Wind (produced by Lindenberg and Thomas Kukuck, who also produced the next five albums together), from which the single "Hoch im Norden" became a radio hit in northern Germany. The year 1973 brought a breakthrough with the album Andrea Doria and its catchy "Alles klar auf der Andrea Doria" and "Cello". Over 100,000 copies sold, and Lindenberg quickly received the largest record deal of any German-language musician up to that time. Lindenberg was earning a special place in the new German-language music of the 70s: Between internationally-oriented Krautrock and pop music, he found his niche. German-language rock had previously been confined to predominantly political message bands whose music was directed at a narrow audience.
Lindenbergs brash style, everyday subject matter ("Bei Onkel Pö…") and his feel for language were an unprecedented combination in German-language music. His pioneering work helped other artists such as Stefan Waggershausen and Marius Müller-Westernhagen get record deals of their own. In 1973 Lindenberg first went on tour with his Panikorchester (Panic Orchestra).
1976 was one of Udo Lindenberg's most productive years. Besides the LP Galaxo Gang he also published under the name Das Waldemar Wunderbar Syndicat I make you feel good, a first Best of Panik Udo and the first in a series of foreign-language publications No Panic, on which Lindenberg translated his songs to English. In the same year (and on another LP: Sister King Kong) with the song "Rock ’n’ Roll Arena in Jena", Lindenberg first mentioned a Panic Orchestra tour in the GDR. In 1976, Lindenberg discovered Ulla Meinecke and produced her first two albums. She was a guest artist and co-author of the 1977 LP Panische Nächte (Panic Nights) and the 1978 Dröhnland Symphonie. On Lindenbergs Rock Revue (1978) Lindenberg and Horst Königstein "Germanized" rock classics from Little Richard to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and went on a big tour. The Nr.-1-Hit "We Gotta Get out of This Place" was also published with German lyrics.
The subsequent Dröhnland-Symphonie-Tour was staged by Peter Zadek as a big multimedia stage show with a plethora of costumed extras. The result was Lindenbergs first live album Livehaftig. In 1979, Der Detektiv was the second Rock Revue, in which more international hits such as "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John, "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf, "My Little Town" and "As Time Goes By" (from the film Casablanca) were "Germanized". Also 1997 was published "Belcanto - Udo Lindenberg & das Deutsche Filmorchester Babelsberg" which included hits like "Horizont", "Bis ans Ende der Welt" along with a song by Bertold Brecht and Udo's own interpretation of The Windmills of Your Mind - "Under the drunkard moon" ("Unterm Säufermond").
One of his most famous songs is Sonderzug nach Pankow (Special train service to Pankow), an adaptation of Chattanooga Choo Choo, released as a single on 2 February 1983. It originated from the refusal of eastern German authorities to allow Lindenberg a concert in the German Democratic Republic (GDR).
On June 3, 2011, Lindenberg performed at Kampnagel unplugged. The recording was later released as an album within the MTV unplugged series. Lindenberg was the 8th German artist in that series. The album became the second No.1 album for Lindenberg declared Platin status for 200,000 sold units after two weeks. The second single from the album "Cello" (feat. Clueso) went No.4 giving Lindenberg the highest chart position in German singles charts ever reached.
Lindenberg has worked collaboratively with various local and international recording artists (Eric Burdon, Helen Schneider, David Bowie, Tom Robinson, Keith Forsey, Gianna Nannini, and Nena) on a number of projects. He currently lives in Hamburg in the Hotel Atlantic (for several years now). His somewhat hoarse voice is the result of too much liquor and cigarettes. In 1989, he survived a heart attack. In 2010, he designed two stamps, themed on his songs "Andrea Doria" and "Sonderzug nach Pankow", for the Deutsche Post.
Commander Superfinger
Udo Lindenberg Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
kam der Computerexperte - der Digitalspion
er sagt: Bei euch hier unten läuft was falsch,
mit eurer Heckmecktektektechnologie
nachher beherrscht sie euch und nicht ihr sie . . . !
Commander Superfinger - Commander Superfinger
ihr müßt es nur anders verteilen
dann wär doch wirklich alles klar
und schon macht er sich, gesagt, getan
an die Computer der Banken und Börsen ran
legt seinen langen Finger auf die Sensoren drauf
und löst erst mal locker alle Konten auf
die ganze Kohle überweist er - hin und her - kreuz und quer
und ganz viel Geld in die Dritte, Vierte oder Fünfte Welt
Commander Superfinger - Commander Superfinger
Und nun schleicht er sich als Spion
in den Kreml und dann ins Pentagon
mit einem Knips an den Chips, mit nem Trick an den Daten
und die Scheiß-Raketen können niemals starten
sie fahren Stück für Stück
in die Sperrmüllgarage zurück
sie verschrotten sich von selber und zwar im Nu
und die Militärschweine gucken fassungslos zu
Superfinger tickt an die Raster, vertauscht mal kurz die Daten
er mischt der Welt erst mal neue Karten
Commander Superfinger
und die großen Tiere dieser Welt sagen: Naninanunanü . . .
shit . . . jetzt läuft ja hier wohl gar nichts mehr - rien ne va plus
Ein wenig später geht der Eliminator
im BKA an die Karteikästen ran
und überprüft die Akte von Ede Schlimmermann
und dann bei Zastermann und Sohn
stoppt er die totale Automation
alles schreit: Geil, geil, geil, was hier passiert
jetzt wird hier keiner mehr wegrationalisiert
Commander Superfinger
dreht die tollsten Dinger mit dem magischen Finger
Commander Superfinger
Und wenn er nicht kommt, der Commander, wat 'n dann?
The lyrics of "Commander Superfinger" by Udo Lindenberg depict a computer expert from another dimension who lands on Earth to fix things that are going wrong with technology. He warns that if people don't get a grip on their obsession with technology, it will control them instead of the other way around. The commander, who goes by the name of Superfinger, sets out to redistribute wealth by hacking into bank and stock exchange computers and transferring money to the developing world. He then infiltrates the Kremlin and the Pentagon and disables missiles by simply pressing on chips or changing data. He creates chaos and subverts the status quo by reconfiguring systems and giving people the power to control their own lives.
The song is a satirical critique of the relationship between power, politics, and technology. Superfinger represents a rebellious hero who seeks to challenge the corrupt establishment by using his knowledge of computers as a weapon. By advocating for a more equitable distribution of resources and undermining the militaristic order, Lindenberg highlights the dangers of allowing technology to dictate our lives. He suggests that we should not surrender our freedom to machines, but should instead use them to liberate ourselves from oppression and injustice.
Line by Line Meaning
Mit dem Galaxi-Taxi aus der fernen Dimension
A computer expert from a far-off dimension arrives in a spacecraft, and he has concerns about Earth's technology.
kam der Computerexperte - der Digitalspion
The visitor is a digital spy who has come to investigate potential issues on Earth.
er sagt: Bei euch hier unten läuft was falsch,
The digital spy tells the people of Earth that something is wrong with their technology.
mit eurer Heckmecktektektechnologie
He criticizes the chaotic technology used on Earth.
nachher beherrscht sie euch und nicht ihr sie . . . !
He warns them that if they do not take control of their technology, it will control them instead.
Commander Superfinger - Commander Superfinger
The Commander Superfinger is a solution to the technological problems on Earth.
Er ist auf eurer Erde für alle alles da
The Commander Superfinger is willing to help everyone on Earth.
ihr müßt es nur anders verteilen
However, the people of Earth must change how they distribute resources.
dann wär doch wirklich alles klar
Otherwise, the problems will persist.
und schon macht er sich, gesagt, getan
The Commander Superfinger gets to work right away.
an die Computer der Banken und Börsen ran
He accesses the computers of banks and stock markets.
legt seinen langen Finger auf die Sensoren drauf
He places his finger on the sensors to initiate transactions.
und löst erst mal locker alle Konten auf
He then empties all of the accounts.
die ganze Kohle überweist er - hin und her - kreuz und quer
He transfers the money across the world.
und ganz viel Geld in die Dritte, Vierte oder Fünfte Welt
A significant amount of money is transferred to third, fourth, and fifth-world countries.
Und nun schleicht er sich als Spion
The Commander Superfinger operates as a spy.
in den Kreml und dann ins Pentagon
He infiltrates both the Kremlin and the Pentagon.
mit einem Knips an den Chips, mit nem Trick an den Daten
He manipulates the technology, finding ways to prevent war.
und die Scheiß-Raketen können niemals starten
As a result of his efforts, the missiles are unable to launch.
sie fahren Stück für Stückin die Sperrmüllgarage zurück
The missiles are driven back into the garbage dump.
sie verschrotten sich von selber und zwar im Nuund die Militärschweine gucken fassungslos zu
The missiles destroy themselves, much to the surprise of the soldiers.
Superfinger tickt an die Raster, vertauscht mal kurz die Daten
The Commander Superfinger changes the data to create new outcomes for the world.
er mischt der Welt erst mal neue Karten
He reshuffles the deck of fate in his vision to bring about real change.
shit . . . jetzt läuft ja hier wohl gar nichts mehr - rien ne va plus
The Commander Superfinger causes total shutdown and chaos, leaving everyone thinking that everything is lost.
Ein wenig später geht der Eliminatorim BKA an die Karteikästen ran
The Eliminator gets to work in Germany's FBI building.
und überprüft die Akte von Ede Schlimmermann
He reviews Ede Schlimmermann's file.
und dann bei Zastermann und Sohnstoppt er die totale Automation
He stops the complete automation process at Zastermann and Sons.
alles schreit: Geil, geil, geil, was hier passiert
Everyone is amazed and excited about the changes happening.
jetzt wird hier keiner mehr wegrationalisiert
Nobody will be laid off anymore.
dreht die tollsten Dinger mit dem magischen Finger
The Commander Superfinger creates remarkable feats with his magical finger.
Und wenn er nicht kommt, der Commander, wat 'n dann?
The people worry that without the Commander Superfinger's continued influence, the Earth will continue on the same doomed path.
Contributed by Owen W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.